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Abstract:

A roller blind system for a vehicle for shading a rear window, having a
fabric sheet movable between stowed and functioning conditions, with a
pull-out profile provided at a distal end thereof and two guide rails
located on sides of the sheet, whereby the pull-out profile incorporates
two sliding pieces at its opposite ends each engaged with one guide rail.
The pull-out profile covers an outlet slot for the sheet. The pull-out
profile has a variable length and includes a main segment bonded to the
sheet and two movable end segments movable relative to the main segment
by a guide. The covering face comprises a main section on the main
segment and side sections on the end segments. The side sections enter
into a receiving pocket enclosed by the main segment when the length of
the pull-out profile is reduced.

Claims:

1. Roller blind system (20) for a motor vehicle (10), in particular for
shading a rear window (12) of the motor vehicle (10), with a flexible
fabric sheet (24) that can be moved between a stowed condition and a
functioning condition in a pull-out direction, a pull-out profile (40)
provided at a distal end of the fabric sheet, and two guide rails (30)
that are located at both sides of the fabric sheet (24) when it its
functioning condition, and which run, at least in part, not parallel to
one another, whereby the pull-out profile (40) incorporates at its ends
two sliding sections (45) opposite one another, each of which engages
with a guide rail (30), the pull-out profile (40) incorporates covering
face (46a, 46b) that is directed in the pull-out direction when in the
stowed condition and which serves to cover an outlet slot (16a) for the
fabric sheet (24), and the pull-out profile (40) is constructed so as to
have a variable length, for which purpose it comprises a main segment
(42) bonded to the distal end of the fabric sheet (24) and two end
segments (44) that are able to move with respect to the main segment in a
direction orthogonal to the pull-out direction by means of a guide,
whereby the covering face (46a, 46b) comprises a main section (46a) on
the main segment (42) and side sections (46b) on the end segments (44),
characterized in that the side sections (46b) of the covering face (46a,
46b) enter into a receiving pocket (42a) enclosed by the main segment
(42) when the length of the pull-out profile (40) is reduced.

2. Roller blind system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that
in the region of the receiving pocket (42a) the cross-section of the main
segment (42) surrounds the receiving pocket (42a).

3. Roller blind system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the guides (44c, 44e, 42c) by means of which the end segments are guided
with respect to the main segment are separated from the side sections
(46b) in such a way that the side sections (46b) of the covering face
(46a, 46b) do not come into physical contact with the main segment (42)
when inserted into the receiving pocket (42a).

4. Roller blind system (20) according to characterized in that the guides
(44c, 44e, 42c) at the side section incorporate a guide surface (44e)
that faces in the same direction as the side sections the covering face
(46a, 46b) and that restricts the freedom of movement of the side
sections in such a way that physical contact with the main segment (42)
is prevented.

5. Roller blind system (20) according to claim characterized in that the
main segment (42) has a form that tapers from the centre towards the
sides.

6. Roller blind system (20) according to claim 1, characterised by a
covering panel (16) having an outlet slot (16a) through which the fabric
sheet (24) is pulled as it is transferred from the stowed condition into
the functioning condition, whereby the outlet slot (16a) has a length
that is greater than the length of the main segment (42), and whereby
preferably the pull-out profile (40) can entirely or almost entirely
cover the outlet slot (16a) with its covering face (46a, 46b) when the
end segments (44) are extended.

7. Roller blind system (20) according to claim characterized in that the
roller blind system (20) incorporates a wind ing shaft (22), preferably
located underneath the covering panel, onto which the fabric sheet (24)
is wound at least to a large extent when in the stowed condition.

8. Roller blind system (20) according characterized in that the pull-out
profile (40) and the outlet slot (16a) are matched to one another in such
a way that the pull-out profile (40) cannot pass through the outlet slot
(16a).

9. Vehicle (10) with a roller blind system (20), in particular a shading
roller blind system (20) for providing shade at a rear window (12) of the
for vehicle (20), characterized in that the roller blind system (20) is
constructed according to claim 1.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority of German Application No. 10
2011 075 843.7, filed May 13, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

FIELD OF APPLICATION AND PRIOR ART

[0002] The invention concerns a roller blind system for a motor vehicle,
in particular for giving shade at a rear window of the motor vehicle.

[0003] A generic roller blind system of this sort comprises a flexible
fabric sheet provided particularly for the purpose of covering the window
and capable of being moved between a stowed condition and a functioning
condition. It includes, furthermore, at a distal end of the fabric sheet,
a pull-out profile and two guide rails that are arranged on both sides of
the fabric sheet when it is in its functioning condition, and which are
aligned, at least partially, not parallel to one another. For the
purposes of guided movement along the guide rails, the pull-out profile
incorporates two sliding pieces at opposite ends, each of which engages
with one of the guide rails, so that the pull-out profile can be moved
along the guide rails in order to move the fabric sheet into its
functioning position in a controlled manner. The pull-out profile
furthermore incorporates a covering face that is directed in the pull-out
direction when in the stowed condition, and which serves to cover an
outlet slot for the fabric sheet.

[0004] The pull-out profile is constructed in such a manner that its
length can be changed, and for this purpose incorporates a main segment
bonded to the distal end of the fabric sheet and two end segments that
can be moved with respect to the main section by a guide unit,
orthogonally to the pull-out direction. The said covering face consists
jointly of a main section on the main segment and of side sections on the
end segments.

[0005] Roller blind systems of this general type are known to the prior
art. They are in particular used in vehicles, particularly in the area of
the rear windscreen, in order to provide shade here. Due to the fact that
the rear windscreens often have an approximately trapezoidal form, the
guide rails, along which the pull-out profile can be moved, are in most
cases formed so that they approach one another in the pull-out direction.
The distance between the sliding pieces that engage with the guide rails
must therefore become less as the pull-out profile is moved along the
guide rails. For this purpose the pull-out profile is constructed, as
described above, of at least three partial sections. Two end segments
that incorporate the sliding pieces can be moved with respect to a
central main section transversely to the pull-out direction, so that the
overall length of the pull-out profile can be varied in accordance with
its position in the guide rails.

[0006] A generic roller blind system of this type is known, for instance,
from EP 1736335 A2. The roller shaft of the roller blind system is here
arranged underneath a parcel shelf, whereby this parcel shelf is
interrupted by an outlet slot through which the fabric sheet is passed
into the interior of the vehicle. The covering faces on the pull-out
profile that face towards the interior vehicle have the purpose of
covering this outlet slot when the roller blind system is stowed, for
aesthetic reasons, in such a way that it can no longer be seen from the
interior vehicle or from outside looking through the rear window.

[0007] In the case of the said system described in EP 17 36 335 A2, the
end segments that form the side sections of the covering face have a
larger cross-section than the main segment. When the pull-out profile is
in its shortened condition, which normally occurs when the blind is in
functioning condition, they are thus pushed onto the main segment. The
desired covering effect when the roller blind system is in a stowed
condition is achieved in a satisfactory manner with these end segments
pushed on. There are, nevertheless, disadvantages, in particular with
respect to the functioning condition. Thus in the functioning condition,
in which the pull-out profile is located in the region of the roof liner,
the smaller cross-section in the region of the main segment leaves a gap
open to the light, even if the roof liner is entirely flat, and this is
felt to be disadvantageous. This problem is more acute when the roof
liner is curved. It is indeed possible with a curved roof liner to
arrange for the main section also to have a curved side edge in the main
direction of its extension. Nevertheless, if the roller blind system has
the known generic configuration, this curvature cannot extend all the way
to the opposite ends of the main segment, since in these end regions it
must exhibit an approximately constant cross-section in order for the end
segments to be pushed onto it.

OBJECT AND SOLUTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to further develop a roller blind
system of this generic type in such a way that it has aesthetic and
functional advantages over the prior art, both when in the stowed
condition and when in the functioning condition.

[0009] In accordance with the invention it is arranged for the side
sections of the covering face to move into a receiving pocket enclosed by
the main segment when the length of the pull-out profile is reduced.

[0010] It is thus arranged that the end segments, or at least the covering
faces formed by them, are not pushed onto the main segment when the
pull-out profile is shortened, but that they are pushed into it.

[0011] The covering face, which is constituted jointly of a main section
on the main segment and the side sections on the end segments, thus
changes its surface when the length of the pull-out profile is changed in
that the visible part of the side sections is reduced, because it moves
into the main segment. The main section of the covering face formed by
the main segment, on the other hand, remains unchanged and entirely
visible.

[0012] As a result, the multi-part construction of the pull-out profile,
consisting of the main segment and the end segments, is not equally
obvious in the stowed condition and in the functioning condition, since
in the case of a shortened pull-out profile, which usually is found in
the functioning condition, the end segments are partially, and preferably
almost entirely, moved into the main segment, and can therefore scarcely
be seen. In comparison with the length of the main segment, the length of
the end segments is relatively short. Preferably the end segments each
constitute less than 20%, and particularly less than 10%, of the total
length of the pull-out profile, where this figure relates to the part of
the covering face that is visible at the maximally extended length of the
pull-out profile.

[0013] In the stowed condition, the pull-out profile is in a lengthened
state in comparison to its minimum length extension. In this condition
the end segments are at least partially withdrawn from the main section,
so that the visible covering face is formed both of the main section on
the main segment and of the side sections, withdrawn from the main
segment, on the end segment.

[0014] The covering face here primarily has the purpose that when in this
stowed condition it entirely, or almost entirely, conceals the outlet
slot through which the fabric sheet emerges into the interior of the
vehicle, as this slot is considered particularly aesthetically
disadvantageous. Covering the outlet slot also helps to provide sound
insulation between the interior of the vehicle and the vehicle's luggage
space. Both in the area of its main section and in the area of its side
sections, the covering face has a mean width, transverse to the main
direction of its extension, of preferably at least 2 cm, particularly
favourably at least 3 cm. This with ensures that the outlet slot, which
usually is only a few millimetres wide, is covered reliably. The covering
face does not have to cover the outlet slot directly. It can also cover a
depression at the base of which the outlet slot is located. It is also
considered advantageous for the cover to be matched to the slot in such a
way that it cannot pass through it.

[0015] Due to the fact that for this purpose the side segments move inside
the main segment, it is not possible for the side sections of the
covering face to be precisely flush with the main section of the covering
face. The side sections and the main section of the covering face are,
however, arranged at least largely parallel to one another, whereby it is
understood here that vectors that are normal to the side section on the
one hand and to the main section on the other hand do not diverge from
one another by more than 10°.

[0016] The fabric sheet present in a roller blind system according to the
invention is preferably wound, when stowed, onto a winding shaft, from
which it can be unwound by pulling on the pull-out profile. In principle,
however, other configurations of the stowed fabric sheet may be
considered, such as, for example, folding the fabric sheet like a
concertina.

[0017] It is in principle possible for the side sections of the covering
face, or even the entire end segments, to be inserted into the main
segment in a receiving pocket that is open to the underneath of the
pull-out profile, since the enclosure of the receiving pocket by the main
segment in the sense of the invention is also given if the receiving
pocket is only enclosed by the main segment at the top. It is, however,
advantageous if the cross-section of the main segment in the region of
the receiving pocket is closed all the way round, so that the piece of
each end segment that is inserted into the main segment is fully enclosed
by the main segment. In this way the multi-part construction of the
pull-out profile is particularly well concealed. In a condition in which
the pull-out profile has its shortest length, the end segments can be
entirely, or almost entirely, concealed from view. A closed cross-section
of this sort also gives the pull-out profile greater stability.

[0018] The end segments are preferably guided with respect to the main
segment by sliding guides, as are already used in the design according to
EP 1 736 335 A2. Guide surfaces that slide against one another are thus
provided on the end segments and on the main segment, so facilitating
relative linear movement between the end segments and the main segment.
It is particularly advantageous here if these guides are constructed
separately from the side sections of the covering face, so that the side
sections of the covering face do not come into physical contact with the
main segment when inserted into the receiving pocket. It is consequently
advantageous if the covering face, at the ends where the side sections
are, is not itself located on the guide for the side sections. Instead, a
guide surface that faces in the same direction as the covering face, that
is upwards in particular, is provided which restricts the movability of
the covering face at the end where the side sections are in such a way
that they do not come into physical contact with the main segment, as is
desirable. The side sections of the covering face provided on the end
segments are thus not themselves involved in guiding the end segments in
relation to the main segment. It is true that this is associated with the
need to provide another surface on the end segments, facing the pull-out
direction, to act as a guide surface. This does, however, prevent the
insertion or withdrawal of the end segments to or from the main segment
leading to aesthetically unfavourable scrape marks on the side sections
of the covering face. The distance between the side sections and a wall
of the receiving pocket of the main segment that is to face inwards
towards the side sections is preferably at least 0.3 mm, particularly at
least 0.6 mm, in order to ensure reliably that even when shaken the
undesirable physical contact between the side sections and the main
section does not occur.

[0019] In particular it is favourable if the main segment has a form that
tapers from the centre to the sides. This tapering form is provided along
a longitudinal edge of the main segment which, in the case of a rear
windscreen roller blind, extends in a direction essentially transverse to
that of the vehicle. The form of a longitudinal edge on the opposite side
is favourably largely straight. The curved longitudinal edge is able,
when the fabric sheet is in its functioning condition where the pull-out
profile is located approximately in the area of the roof liner, of
allowing the pull-out profile to be moved up to the roof liner so that it
is essentially flush, so that the entry of light into the interior of the
vehicle is prevented as far as possible. In itself, a form that is curved
in this way is known to the prior art. Nevertheless, due to the insertion
of the end segments into the main segment according to the invention, it
can extend up to the outer edges of the main segment, and thus, when the
fabric sheet is in the functioning condition, can extend over almost the
entire length of the pull-out profile. In particular when a main segment
of this sort that tapers to the sides is used, the insertion of the end
segments according to the invention is of considerable advantage.

[0020] The roller blind system preferably also comprises a covering plate
in which the outlet slot, mentioned above, is provided, through which the
fabric sheet is pulled as it is moved from the stowed condition into the
functioning condition. This outlet slot has a length that exceeds the
length of the main segment, but which nevertheless can be entirely or
almost entirely covered by the pull-out profile when the end segments of
the covering face are extended. Any parts of the ends of the outlet slot
that might in fact not be covered, preferably have a length of less than
15 mm.

[0021] The said covering panel preferably comprises a parcel shelf located
behind the rear seat of the vehicle and oriented approximately
horizontally. The outlet slot may be located at the base of a depression
in which the pull-out profile is positioned when the fabric sheet is
stowed, so that in this stowed position an approximately flat surface is
formed, consisting partly of the covering panel and partly of the
covering face at the pull-out profile.

[0022] A winding shaft is preferably located underneath this covering
panel, onto which the fabric sheet is wound when in the stowed condition.
The fabric sheet itself here is preferably trapezoidal, in order in this
way to match the non-parallel alignment of the guide rails and the shape
of the rear windscreen.

[0023] The invention also concerns a vehicle with a roller blind system,
in particular a roller blind system for giving shade at the rear window
of the motor vehicle. The roller blind system is here constructed as
described above.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention emerge not only
from the claims but also from the description below of a preferred
embodiment of the invention, which is explained in more detail with the
aid of the following diagrams. These show:

[0025] FIGS. 1a and 1b a roller blind system according to the invention in
a stowed condition and in a functioning condition,

[0026]FIG. 2 a plan view of an end region of the pull-out profile of the
roller blind system of FIG. 1,

[0027]FIG. 3 a general view of the pull-out pro file of the roller blind
system of FIG. 1,

[0028] FIG. 4 a perspective view of an end region of the pull-out profile,
and

[0029]FIG. 5 a cross-section through the pull-out profile of the roller
blind system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0030] FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate the rear region of a vehicle 10,
providing a view through the rear window 12 to the area of a rear vehicle
seat 14 and of a parcel shelf 16 positioned behind it.

[0031] A roller blind system 20 is provided in order to provide shade at
the rear window 12. This roller blind system 20 incorporates a winding
shaft 22 on rotating bearings and located underneath the parcel shelf 16,
onto which, when in the stowed condition of FIG. 1a, a flexible fabric
sheet 24, consisting for instance of textile, is wound. This fabric sheet
24 can be unwound from the winding shaft 22 through an exit slot 16a
provided in the parcel shelf, in order to reach the functioning condition
of FIG. 1b.

[0032] For the purposes of this move into the functioning condition of
FIG. 1b, a pull-out profile 40 is provided at the distal end of the
trapezoidal fabric sheet 24. This pull-out profile can be moved, guided
by guide rails 30, by means of sliding pieces, not shown in more detail
in FIGS. 1a and 1b at its distal ends 40a, 40b. The guide rails 30 extend
on both sides of the fabric sheet with respect to its functioning
condition as illustrated in FIG. 1b along C-pillars 18 of the vehicle 10.

[0033] The guide rails 30 follow a curved path. In the area of their lower
end they are aligned almost vertically, whereas in the area of their
upper ends they are almost horizontal. In addition, the guide rails 30
converge to a small extent in the direction of their upper ends. The
spacing of the guide rails 30 from one another is therefore greater at
their lower end than at their upper end.

[0034] As a result of the curvature of the guide rails, the pull-out
profile turns as it moves from the stowed condition of FIG. 1a into the
functioning condition of FIG. 1b. The surfaces of the pull-out profile 40
that face upwards when in the stowed condition of FIG. 1a face to the
front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when in the
functioning condition.

[0035] Because the guide rails 30 are not parallel to one another, the
pull-out profile 40 is, furthermore, designed to have a variable length.
For this purpose, it incorporates a main segment 42 and two movable end
segments 44 whose position can change with respect to the main segment in
transverse direction of the vehicle 2. When the roller blind system 20 is
in the stowed condition, as is illustrated in FIG. 1a, the end segments
44, which can move with respect to the main segment 42 and on which the
sliding pieces are located to provide guidance against the guide rail 30,
are extended. In this condition the pull-out profile therefore has its
maximum extension in the transverse direction of the vehicle 2. In the
functioning condition of FIG. 1b, in which the pull-out profile 40 has
been moved to its final upper position along the guide rails 30, the end
segments 44 are almost entirely inserted into the main segment 42, so
that in this condition, as shown in FIG. 1b, the multi-part construction
of the pull-out profile can scarcely be seen.

[0036] In the stowed condition of FIG. 1a, a covering face 46a, 46b of the
pull-out profile almost entirely covers the exit slot 16a. This covering
face 46a, 46b comprises a main section 46a which is provided on the main
segment 42. It also comprises side sections 46b that are provided on the
end segments 44. Together these sections 46a, 46b of the covering face
conceal the exit slot 16a in an aesthetically favourable manner. When the
roller blind system is in the stowed condition of FIG. 1a, its presence
can therefore only be noticed on close inspection of the parcel shelf 16.

[0037] In the functioning condition of FIG. 1b it can scarcely be seen, in
the manner that has already been explained, that the pull-out profile 40
is formed of multiple parts, since the end segments 44 are almost
entirely inserted into the main segment 42. The covering face 46a of the
main segment is bowed outwards along a longitudinal edge, so that it lies
largely flush with a roof liner of the vehicle. The remaining gap 19
through which light can pass is therefore very narrow.

[0038]FIG. 2 shows a plan view of part of the pull-out profile 40. The
dashed line makes it possible to see here how the end segments 44 on
which the sliding elements 45 are provided are almost entirely inserted
into the main segment 42 when in the functioning condition. Only a short
section of the end segment 44 still protrudes from the main segment 42,
having an attachment hole 44a to hold the sliding element 45, which is
only shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] The construction of the pull-out profile 40 can be clearly seen in
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Here FIG. 3 shows the whole of the pull-out profile in
a condition in which the end segments 44 are almost entirely inserted
into the main segment 42.

[0040] As can most particularly be seen in FIG. 5, the receiving pocket
42a, into which the corresponding end segment 44 is inserted in order to
reach the functioning condition of FIG. 1b, is enclosed, if the
cross-section is examined, all the way around by the main segment 42, so
that the inserted section of the end segment 44 can no longer be seen,
regardless of the angle from which it is observed. It can also be seen
that the capacity to move the end segments 44 with respect to the main
segment 42 in the transverse direction of the vehicle 2 is created by
guide surfaces 42c, 44d on the end segments 44 and in the main segment
42. The guide surfaces 44c of the end segments 44 are here provided on a
profile section 44d of the end segments which is located at a distance
from the covering face 46b. The end section 46b of the covering face 46
does not contribute to the guidance. Instead it is deliberately
positioned at a significant distance from the internal wall 42d of the
main segment 42, so that the two do not come into physical contact.
Instead of the end section 46b of the covering face, the relative
vertical displacement of the end segment 44 with respect to the main
segment 42 is created by a guide surface 44e.

[0041] Scrape marks and rattling noises are avoided because the end
section 46b of the covering face is at a distance from the main segment
42. The distance between the end section 46b of the covering face and the
inner surface of the main segment 42 is in this case about 1 mm.

[0042] There are numerous aesthetic advantages of the roller blind system
illustrated. Both in the stowed condition as illustrated in FIG. 1a and
in the functioning condition illustrated in FIG. 1b, the multi-piece
construction of the pull-out profile 40 leads to noteworthy aesthetic
advantages. The method of construction furthermore ensures that unwanted
rattles are not generated.